ALDI draws flak over 'disappointing' and 'harmful' detail in kid's books – do you agree?


A regular patron of the grocery store chain ALDI has lashed out at the company for selling two children's books that, in her opinion, perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, the Aussie woman said that she was "disappointed" after she noticed some specific detail upon taking a closer look at the books that were available at her neighbourhood store.

The first book was titled "What Can He Be?" and featured a picture of a young boy dressed as an astronaut. The second book was titled "What Can She Be?" and featured a picture of a young girl dressing up as a veterinarian on the front cover.


Both books were written for children. However, the lady brought up the point that the books contribute to the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes in public places like shopping malls.

The user wrote on Twitter that she was 'disappointed’ with ALDI Australia, saying: "Why the difference? Girls can be astronauts and surgeons!"

She also suggested that the manufacturers should ask the children gender-neutral questions, such as "What can you be?" rather than pigeonholing them into specific job descriptions.

0e-Y8f8jIR7-5t4XhKYOqKKSIiErAYuzX8ZZ1W75ivTOK2P-Bk-5xNFeaMh5jkfGN-gWwfoBpnj_6eEFgH8nakiAKq8GxMwxNHLHtZEX8lp7XKLr0KVnRGGkfH-oXtYkS-ZAc3Y7HOOnlShArA

An ALDI customer says these two books contain outdated gender stereotypes. Credit: Twitter.

When another person asked if the book included the girl character dressed as an astronaut on one of the pages inside, the woman insisted that it didn't.

"I opened and checked," she explained, adding, "It didn't, which irritated me even more. Apart from the fact that it's past time to make the switch to a non-binary format."

The woman's frustration was shared by a large number of other people on social media who felt the same way about the "harmful gender stereotyping" done by the well-known retailer.

One user wrote in the comments, "For the most part, ALDI is a good choice, but this has left me disappointed." A second one agreed and added, "Sigh… there's no need for this."


Meanwhile, a fellow Aussie wrote on Twitter: "I'm afraid that harmful gender stereotyping and effective misogyny are pervasive and internalised by the general public, as well as, unfortunately, many school teachers."

"The question I always ask myself is, 'Who is profiting from this?' Aldi and other retail chains are the answer," the person went on to say.

On the other hand, some people thought that the woman was overreacting and that the books were harmless.

"It's not like they are saying girls can't be astronauts. They are just showing a boy doing it," one Twitter user commented. Another one added, "I think this is a bit of an overreaction. I don't think there is any malice in these books."

Although the feedback on the books has been shared with the appropriate team at ALDI Australia, the company has not issued a statement regarding the matter as of yet.

What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think that these books perpetuate 'harmful' gender stereotypes, especially among children, or is this a lot of fuss about nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
 
Sponsored
ALDI draws flak over 'disappointing' and 'harmful' detail in kid's books – do you agree?

A regular patron of the grocery store chain ALDI has lashed out at the company for selling two children's books that, in her opinion, perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, the Aussie woman said that she was "disappointed" after she noticed some specific detail upon taking a closer look at the books that were available at her neighbourhood store.

The first book was titled "What Can He Be?" and featured a picture of a young boy dressed as an astronaut. The second book was titled "What Can She Be?" and featured a picture of a young girl dressing up as a veterinarian on the front cover.



Both books were written for children. However, the lady brought up the point that the books contribute to the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes in public places like shopping malls.

The user wrote on Twitter that she was 'disappointed’ with ALDI Australia, saying: "Why the difference? Girls can be astronauts and surgeons!"

She also suggested that the manufacturers should ask the children gender-neutral questions, such as "What can you be?" rather than pigeonholing them into specific job descriptions.


0e-Y8f8jIR7-5t4XhKYOqKKSIiErAYuzX8ZZ1W75ivTOK2P-Bk-5xNFeaMh5jkfGN-gWwfoBpnj_6eEFgH8nakiAKq8GxMwxNHLHtZEX8lp7XKLr0KVnRGGkfH-oXtYkS-ZAc3Y7HOOnlShArA

An ALDI customer says these two books contain outdated gender stereotypes. Credit: Twitter.

When another person asked if the book included the girl character dressed as an astronaut on one of the pages inside, the woman insisted that it didn't.

"I opened and checked," she explained, adding, "It didn't, which irritated me even more. Apart from the fact that it's past time to make the switch to a non-binary format."

The woman's frustration was shared by a large number of other people on social media who felt the same way about the "harmful gender stereotyping" done by the well-known retailer.

One user wrote in the comments, "For the most part, ALDI is a good choice, but this has left me disappointed." A second one agreed and added, "Sigh… there's no need for this."



Meanwhile, a fellow Aussie wrote on Twitter: "I'm afraid that harmful gender stereotyping and effective misogyny are pervasive and internalised by the general public, as well as, unfortunately, many school teachers."

"The question I always ask myself is, 'Who is profiting from this?' Aldi and other retail chains are the answer," the person went on to say.

On the other hand, some people thought that the woman was overreacting and that the books were harmless.

"It's not like they are saying girls can't be astronauts. They are just showing a boy doing it," one Twitter user commented. Another one added, "I think this is a bit of an overreaction. I don't think there is any malice in these books."

Although the feedback on the books has been shared with the appropriate team at ALDI Australia, the company has not issued a statement regarding the matter as of yet.

What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think that these books perpetuate 'harmful' gender stereotypes, especially among children, or is this a lot of fuss about nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
 
Look you silly people, the book can't list every profession for each child, is that what you expect? Books like these would fill a library! And for goodness sakes stop sifting through EVERYTHING to find fault - you lot suck the joy out of the most innocent things that never were put out there to upset little you.
 
ALDI draws flak over 'disappointing' and 'harmful' detail in kid's books – do you agree?

A regular patron of the grocery store chain ALDI has lashed out at the company for selling two children's books that, in her opinion, perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, the Aussie woman said that she was "disappointed" after she noticed some specific detail upon taking a closer look at the books that were available at her neighbourhood store.

The first book was titled "What Can He Be?" and featured a picture of a young boy dressed as an astronaut. The second book was titled "What Can She Be?" and featured a picture of a young girl dressing up as a veterinarian on the front cover.



Both books were written for children. However, the lady brought up the point that the books contribute to the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes in public places like shopping malls.

The user wrote on Twitter that she was 'disappointed’ with ALDI Australia, saying: "Why the difference? Girls can be astronauts and surgeons!"

She also suggested that the manufacturers should ask the children gender-neutral questions, such as "What can you be?" rather than pigeonholing them into specific job descriptions.


0e-Y8f8jIR7-5t4XhKYOqKKSIiErAYuzX8ZZ1W75ivTOK2P-Bk-5xNFeaMh5jkfGN-gWwfoBpnj_6eEFgH8nakiAKq8GxMwxNHLHtZEX8lp7XKLr0KVnRGGkfH-oXtYkS-ZAc3Y7HOOnlShArA

An ALDI customer says these two books contain outdated gender stereotypes. Credit: Twitter.

When another person asked if the book included the girl character dressed as an astronaut on one of the pages inside, the woman insisted that it didn't.

"I opened and checked," she explained, adding, "It didn't, which irritated me even more. Apart from the fact that it's past time to make the switch to a non-binary format."

The woman's frustration was shared by a large number of other people on social media who felt the same way about the "harmful gender stereotyping" done by the well-known retailer.

One user wrote in the comments, "For the most part, ALDI is a good choice, but this has left me disappointed." A second one agreed and added, "Sigh… there's no need for this."



Meanwhile, a fellow Aussie wrote on Twitter: "I'm afraid that harmful gender stereotyping and effective misogyny are pervasive and internalised by the general public, as well as, unfortunately, many school teachers."

"The question I always ask myself is, 'Who is profiting from this?' Aldi and other retail chains are the answer," the person went on to say.

On the other hand, some people thought that the woman was overreacting and that the books were harmless.

"It's not like they are saying girls can't be astronauts. They are just showing a boy doing it," one Twitter user commented. Another one added, "I think this is a bit of an overreaction. I don't think there is any malice in these books."

Although the feedback on the books has been shared with the appropriate team at ALDI Australia, the company has not issued a statement regarding the matter as of yet.

What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think that these books perpetuate 'harmful' gender stereotypes, especially among children, or is this a lot of fuss about nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
My advice to this person is stop looking for flaws in everything and get a life.
 
I might be old fashioned, this woman isn’t up set about the fact that the books are portraying the fact, that there are certain thing that can be done by by boys or girls only. She’s upset that they mention the gender.
First God created 2 genders, male that has a penis, and female that has a vagina. If todays man and women want to mutilate their bodies, that’s their prerogative BUT don’t push it on young children.
The next thing I want to point out is, the last time I looked we were in the 21st century girls and boys can go into any profession they want without any questions asked. Women can be and are astronauts, they are vets, they are also electricians, plumbers, forklift drivers, they go to war, build houses, use heavy machinery etc,etc.
These are innocent little books to help children read not brain wash them, so why make a big deal.
Why take the innocence from a child to introduce them to a perverted word, that will happen soon enough.
 
I might be old fashioned, this woman isn’t up set about the fact that the books are portraying the fact, that there are certain thing that can be done by by boys or girls only. She’s upset that they mention the gender.
First God created 2 genders, male that has a penis, and female that has a vagina. If todays man and women want to mutilate their bodies, that’s their prerogative BUT don’t push it on young children.
The next thing I want to point out is, the last time I looked we were in the 21st century girls and boys can go into any profession they want without any questions asked. Women can be and are astronauts, they are vets, they are also electricians, plumbers, forklift drivers, they go to war, build houses, use heavy machinery etc,etc.
These are innocent little books to help children read not brain wash them, so why make a big deal.
Why take the innocence from a child to introduce them to a perverted word, that will happen soon enough.
I find that fearful people often want to belittle, criticise, ridicule, out talk and some even destroy other people that have different ideas than theirs. Sadly, this is what the left is all about…. destroy the family unit, ridicule or destroy Christianity. After all we don’t need a God in our lives. Well, good luck with that. I personally do need God in my life to help me cope with people that want to destroy it.
Max Oostwoud
 
Oh dear, how would they have reacted to Andy Pandy, Looby Loo, the Flowerpot Men, and heavens above Enid Blyton books! I remember drivers having to give way to the right in N.S.W., I thought majority against minority, that's idiotic, it seems nowadays the majority have to relinquish their rights to the minority.
 
ALDI draws flak over 'disappointing' and 'harmful' detail in kid's books – do you agree?

A regular patron of the grocery store chain ALDI has lashed out at the company for selling two children's books that, in her opinion, perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, the Aussie woman said that she was "disappointed" after she noticed some specific detail upon taking a closer look at the books that were available at her neighbourhood store.

The first book was titled "What Can He Be?" and featured a picture of a young boy dressed as an astronaut. The second book was titled "What Can She Be?" and featured a picture of a young girl dressing up as a veterinarian on the front cover.



Both books were written for children. However, the lady brought up the point that the books contribute to the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes in public places like shopping malls.

The user wrote on Twitter that she was 'disappointed’ with ALDI Australia, saying: "Why the difference? Girls can be astronauts and surgeons!"

She also suggested that the manufacturers should ask the children gender-neutral questions, such as "What can you be?" rather than pigeonholing them into specific job descriptions.


0e-Y8f8jIR7-5t4XhKYOqKKSIiErAYuzX8ZZ1W75ivTOK2P-Bk-5xNFeaMh5jkfGN-gWwfoBpnj_6eEFgH8nakiAKq8GxMwxNHLHtZEX8lp7XKLr0KVnRGGkfH-oXtYkS-ZAc3Y7HOOnlShArA

An ALDI customer says these two books contain outdated gender stereotypes. Credit: Twitter.

When another person asked if the book included the girl character dressed as an astronaut on one of the pages inside, the woman insisted that it didn't.

"I opened and checked," she explained, adding, "It didn't, which irritated me even more. Apart from the fact that it's past time to make the switch to a non-binary format."

The woman's frustration was shared by a large number of other people on social media who felt the same way about the "harmful gender stereotyping" done by the well-known retailer.

One user wrote in the comments, "For the most part, ALDI is a good choice, but this has left me disappointed." A second one agreed and added, "Sigh… there's no need for this."



Meanwhile, a fellow Aussie wrote on Twitter: "I'm afraid that harmful gender stereotyping and effective misogyny are pervasive and internalised by the general public, as well as, unfortunately, many school teachers."

"The question I always ask myself is, 'Who is profiting from this?' Aldi and other retail chains are the answer," the person went on to say.

On the other hand, some people thought that the woman was overreacting and that the books were harmless.

"It's not like they are saying girls can't be astronauts. They are just showing a boy doing it," one Twitter user commented. Another one added, "I think this is a bit of an overreaction. I don't think there is any malice in these books."

Although the feedback on the books has been shared with the appropriate team at ALDI Australia, the company has not issued a statement regarding the matter as of yet.

What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think that these books perpetuate 'harmful' gender stereotypes, especially among children, or is this a lot of fuss about nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
 
This seems like a big overreaction. A picture of a boy wearing an astronaut suit with the question asking who he could be seems an innocent thing to me. If you don’t want the book walk on by. It reminds of umpteen years ago when some lady wanted clothes painted on May Gibbs gumnut babies because it was promoting pornography. Kids don’t think like adults. They don’t overthink like we do.
 
OMG get a life. This woke business and these precious people are really annoying me.. Who cares, It`s adults with overactive sensibilities that have the problem, not the kids. What is happening in this world of ours when everything has got to have a sexual, racial , abusive or sinister meaning..
 
This seems like a big overreaction. A picture of a boy wearing an astronaut suit with the question asking who he could be seems an innocent thing to me. If you don’t want the book walk on by. It reminds of umpteen years ago when some lady wanted clothes painted on May Gibbs gumnut babies because it was promoting pornography. Kids don’t think like adults. They don’t overthink like we do.
I never knew that, I thought how cute they are, nothing else!
 
Oh these over sensitive people !! Let the kids read these books then ask them what they thought. I'm sure the first thing they say will not be about "gender equality" they will want to know which planet the astronaut went to or which animal the vet treated. I worked in a children's bookstore and they were always more interested in the story not the gender of the characters.
 
ALDI draws flak over 'disappointing' and 'harmful' detail in kid's books – do you agree?

A regular patron of the grocery store chain ALDI has lashed out at the company for selling two children's books that, in her opinion, perpetuate outdated gender stereotypes.

Sharing her thoughts on Twitter, the Aussie woman said that she was "disappointed" after she noticed some specific detail upon taking a closer look at the books that were available at her neighbourhood store.

The first book was titled "What Can He Be?" and featured a picture of a young boy dressed as an astronaut. The second book was titled "What Can She Be?" and featured a picture of a young girl dressing up as a veterinarian on the front cover.



Both books were written for children. However, the lady brought up the point that the books contribute to the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes in public places like shopping malls.

The user wrote on Twitter that she was 'disappointed’ with ALDI Australia, saying: "Why the difference? Girls can be astronauts and surgeons!"

She also suggested that the manufacturers should ask the children gender-neutral questions, such as "What can you be?" rather than pigeonholing them into specific job descriptions.


0e-Y8f8jIR7-5t4XhKYOqKKSIiErAYuzX8ZZ1W75ivTOK2P-Bk-5xNFeaMh5jkfGN-gWwfoBpnj_6eEFgH8nakiAKq8GxMwxNHLHtZEX8lp7XKLr0KVnRGGkfH-oXtYkS-ZAc3Y7HOOnlShArA

An ALDI customer says these two books contain outdated gender stereotypes. Credit: Twitter.

When another person asked if the book included the girl character dressed as an astronaut on one of the pages inside, the woman insisted that it didn't.

"I opened and checked," she explained, adding, "It didn't, which irritated me even more. Apart from the fact that it's past time to make the switch to a non-binary format."

The woman's frustration was shared by a large number of other people on social media who felt the same way about the "harmful gender stereotyping" done by the well-known retailer.

One user wrote in the comments, "For the most part, ALDI is a good choice, but this has left me disappointed." A second one agreed and added, "Sigh… there's no need for this."



Meanwhile, a fellow Aussie wrote on Twitter: "I'm afraid that harmful gender stereotyping and effective misogyny are pervasive and internalised by the general public, as well as, unfortunately, many school teachers."

"The question I always ask myself is, 'Who is profiting from this?' Aldi and other retail chains are the answer," the person went on to say.

On the other hand, some people thought that the woman was overreacting and that the books were harmless.

"It's not like they are saying girls can't be astronauts. They are just showing a boy doing it," one Twitter user commented. Another one added, "I think this is a bit of an overreaction. I don't think there is any malice in these books."

Although the feedback on the books has been shared with the appropriate team at ALDI Australia, the company has not issued a statement regarding the matter as of yet.

What are your thoughts, folks? Do you think that these books perpetuate 'harmful' gender stereotypes, especially among children, or is this a lot of fuss about nothing? Let us know in the comments below!
Making a mountain out of a mole hill l think. If the woman wanted to complain why not pick on the point the girl is wearing a dress & not a nice pair of slacks? Will children even care about who is doing what?
 
I'm sad to see the comments here written by people who aren't just ignorant about sex and gender, but who are aggressively and violently ignorant, and who want to force this ignorance on others. There are so many things I wanted to do when I was a child, and I didn't even try because "girls don't do that" and "girls can't be that". Even a picture on a seemingly harmless children's books is perpetuating those harms. There's nothing good about owning ignorance.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Ricci

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×